Philadelphia Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

This guide covers the 2026 dates that close schools, shut city offices, disrupt transit, or require adjusted staffing in Philadelphia. Use it to plan schedules and time-off requests. For statewide holidays, see our Pennsylvania holidays 2026 guide.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Philadelphia for 2026?

Holiday	Date	Day
New Year’s Day	January 1	Thursday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 19	Monday
Presidents’ Day	February 16	Monday
Memorial Day	May 25	Monday
Juneteenth	June 19	Friday
Independence Day	July 4	Saturday
Labor Day	September 7	Monday
Columbus Day	October 12	Monday
Veterans Day	November 11	Wednesday
Thanksgiving Day	November 26	Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25	Friday

Independence Day falls on Saturday. Most city offices and federal agencies will close Friday, July 3 instead.

City offices, courts, and most government services close on all dates above. Many private employers follow the same schedule.

What State Holidays Does Pennsylvania Observe?

Pennsylvania observes Flag Day (June 14) as an optional state holiday. State offices may close or operate with reduced staff.

Election Day (November 3, 2026) is not a state holiday in Pennsylvania, but schools often close for use as polling locations.

What Local Events Affect Philadelphia Schedules in 2026?

Broad Street and downtown closures – Mummers Parade (January 1) shuts down Broad Street for most of New Year’s Day. Major traffic disruption in Center City.
Citywide marathon route closures – Philadelphia Marathon (November) closes streets through Center City, the Parkway, and Manayunk. Expect several hours of limited access.
Center City street closures – Philadelphia Pride Parade (June) affects Market Street and surrounding areas.
Independence Mall congestion – July 4th celebrations draw massive crowds to Independence Hall area. Expect heavy traffic and transit crowding.
South Philadelphia traffic – Eagles and Phillies game days create heavy traffic around the Sports Complex. Major events compound with holidays.

When Do Philadelphia Government Offices Close?

City offices close on all federal holidays. The day after Thanksgiving is typically a closure. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve often have reduced hours or full closures.

When Are Philadelphia Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close School District of Philadelphia schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Election Day (November 3—schools used as polling locations)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (April)
Professional development days (dates vary)

The official 2026–2027 school calendar releases in early 2026. Confirm specific dates then.

How Do Philadelphia Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests. The Mummers Parade and July 4th celebrations create significant downtown access issues.

Staff accordingly. Build coverage plans around these dates.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; the Mummers Parade disrupts downtown on New Year’s Day; July 4th draws massive crowds to Center City; Election Day closes schools. The Philadelphia Marathon affects November scheduling and downtown access.

Use this list to build shift schedules, approve time-off requests, and avoid staffing gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks and post offices open on Philadelphia holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on Pennsylvania state holidays like Flag Day (June 14) and on Election Day (November 3). Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is SEPTA running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

Yes. SEPTA buses, trolleys, and Regional Rail run on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25), but with reduced Sunday/holiday schedules. Expect longer wait times and limited Regional Rail service.

How long are streets closed for the Mummers Parade?

Broad Street and surrounding Center City streets close for most of January 1. The parade runs from morning through late afternoon. Plan for no vehicle access through downtown on New Year’s Day.

Do private employers have to give time off for Election Day?

No. Election Day (November 3, 2026) is not a holiday for private employers in Pennsylvania. However, Philadelphia public schools close for use as polling locations. Plan for childcare gaps.